New Business Approved on County Road

The Rochester Planning Board met Tuesday evening, and among several issues discussed was a unanimous decision to approve construction of a new business by Ruth Sundby on 153 County Road.

The business will sell custom flowers as well as custom picture frames. It will not require major construction aside from 24 by 24-foot structure with a handicap ramp, which will sit opposite the residence that already exists on the property belonging to Sundby. No major landscaping or drainage work would be necessary.

Because of the simplicity of the project, the Board decided to waive a peer review that would normally take place, as well as to approve waivers for other restrictions on the property.

“I have no problem recommending that we waive the peer review,” said Town Planner John Charbonneau.

The Board also decided that a $250 application fee would be suitable for the construction on the 2.3-acre property.

There will be a public hearing to officially approve waivers on the project on April 9.

The Board also approved an amendment to existing town laws regarding the difference between a roadside stand and a farm stand. Under the new amendment, the town has said that a roadside stand is a structure that is less than 80 feet in area, and a farm stand would be anything over. The Board has recommended the amendments for approval to the Board of Selectmen.

The Board also plans to go forward with the recommendation of a moratorium bylaw regarding marijuana dispensaries within the town. According to Charbonneau, the literature that was used for the bylaw in the towns of Wareham and Scituate will be used by Rochester.

“It’s the same as what the other towns are passing,” said Charbonneau.

Many cities and towns within the state of Massachusetts are recommending similar bylaws until some form of legislation regarding the State’s legalization of medical marijuana in November.

The Board also decided to continue the public hearing that has taken place in previous months regarding the construction for Shawmut Associates, LLC at 50 Cranberry Highway.